The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-16
Afternoon Session,

Mr.. Patton spoke for some time in favor of the
passage of the bill Both of the parties had, by
their platforms, declared in favor of one of the
two propositions embraced in this DILL, that of
high license. AS to the local control feature,
the Republican party was in favor of that. and,
for his part, he saw objection to it. All there
was in it was the submission to the people them
selves OF the question whether not they
would permit liquor to be sold; and certainly the
people could speak for themselves better than
any represen tative could. If this bill were
passed it would restrict saloons to the cities. and
would drive them entirely out Of the country
and the small towns. where farmers boys, and
mechanics, and miners were being rnined and
their money spent when it was needed fer their
families. He urged Democrats and Repu blicans
alike to vote for measure that would tend to
the morality and upbuilding Of every community
in the State.
Mr. Reynolds-This bill proposes to regard
the whole question of the regulation and sale of
Intoxicating liquors as a privilege of the people
of the State. 1t proposes TO say to the people of
every locality, If you nave the public sentiment
to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors as
beverage in your locality, it is your right to
cast your vote. This is the democratic idea
and the republican idea that runs through the
whole system OF civil government It is heartily
in accord with the genius of our free institutions
to put In the hands of the people much power
IS is consistent with satisfactory administration
of its civil affairs. In view of the fact that in
the past all civilized governments have under
taken, to certain extent, to regulate this
traffic. 1t seemed to him that this principle is
certainly democratic and republican. He
was extremely sorry that there should be q
single voice in the House against the right
of the people in their sovereign capacity
to say at the balot-box, independent of any po-
| lticai complication whatever, whether man
| shall engage in the business that has been SO
! graphically described by the gentleman from
Sullivan Mr.. Pattonl IT simply says to every
voter in Indiana, You shall have the right by
/ your ballot to protect your homo from the bane-
full effects of this traffic. 1t says to every mother,
and wife, and daughter. that your home will be
protected if your sentiment is in that direction.
Therefore. it would be we'll for every Rep, esent-
ative here representing the great State of In
| diana, to have a record that he has voted in
| favor of the home against the saloon. The bill
does not seek to strike at the drink habit as
| much as at the saloon system. What we ought
to do it seemed to him. is to pass this bill and
let it 60 to the people and let them regulate it.
If majority in his locality wish saloons. he
| would bow in obedience to the will of the people
and If the will of the people is thai
| they shall not have saloons. he hoped
that all would endeavor to have the law enforced
| To his mind the salient point of the bill is thu
local control feature. The people Of any town
ship or county shall, on petition. have an oppor